Entertain the Thought

We all have those people in our lives, some might call them dramatic, that always seem to have the most interesting ways of presenting themselves and their lives. I'm not describing the types of "drama queens" that we are all aware of...the ones that can be annoying and seem to blow things out of proportion to draw attention only to themselves. I am actually talking about those people that realize their competency to add entertainment value to every day situations.

I fully advocate individuals that realize that being dramatic and entertaining is one of their strengths. As long as a person is being themselves, I see no problem with their utilization of drama. In fact, I LOVE IT! Try as we might not to like them, we all have those people in our lives that seem to charm us through their drama. You know the ones I'm talking about...those people who walk in the room and suddenly it's brighter, more lively. Those that seem to attract the attention of everyone in the room, regardless of what they are doing.

One reason I advocate drama is because it counteracts some of life's most boring moments. For example, I have given zillions (over-dramatic) of presentations throughout my college career, but one way I keep from being boring and ordinary is to incorporate my entertainment value. I think it is very unusual, and very powerful, to find a person that can entertain and inform.

Drama is also extremely effective when it is used in the right context. It should never be used to draw attention to oneself. Trust me, you'll get more positive attention if you just act like yourself and save the drama for later. However, if drama is used for the benefit of others, it's amazing. It can benefit others in so many ways. Maybe you are just brightening someone's day and trying to make it less boring. Maybe you are using drama on a much larger scale, like Patch Adams did when he dressed as a clown to do his rounds as a medical doctor for children with cancer.

No matter what the extent of your dramatic experience there are a couple of rules to keep in mind. Never, under any circumstances, should you upstage another person. If it is their moment, let them have it...you'll have your turn to shine. Second, one must know their audience...it may not be appropriate to be as dramatic at someone else's party as it is when you are on the phone with a friend. A little brain work is all it takes to figure this out! Be strategic about the use of your drama and it could very well be an untapped asset.

Now, the show must go on, so go out there and break a leg!

XOXO,
E

Every Thing That Glitters...

Diamonds are universally beautiful. Regardless of someone's style or taste they can almost always find a diamond that they love. Isn't it weird that diamonds come from Carbon found in the earth's crust? In fact, diamonds are the single hardest material found in the world. They are virtually uncrushable. What might be the craziest fact is that they are formed under extreme pressure and heat.

Like diamonds, people can often be stunning, eye catching and alluring. In fact, it seems to me that some of the most captivating and dazzling people are actually hiding under an exterior shell. Similar to the crust of the earth where real diamonds are formed, people's most dazzling features may become disguised by their rugged outer shells.

For example, a lot of the time my best self is not visible. It is often hidden under my high strung nature, my results driven approach to life, or the fact that I'm just a little too intense at times. However if people are ever able to tear away those barriers they will find that I'm the biggest softie in the world. (I don't know of many other people that sincerely weep in movies like The Lion King, Patch Adams, & Remember the Titans!) This is true for everyone. We all have our outer walls that often block our most beautiful aspects. People may get glimpses of our sparkle, but until our barriers come down they will never see the full dazzle of all that we have to offer.

The funny thing about diamonds is that they are formed under pressure. As humans we encounter pressure and stressful situations frequently. Some of use handle them better than others. Others of us have anxiety attacks, snap at others, seem inherently intense or intimidating...when that simply isn't the case. Regardless of how people deal with pressure and heated situations, their beauty is usually not at its best. These pressures aren't glamorous, but when they are overcome...it is equally as beautiful as a newly polished diamond.

Just remember...sometimes things have to be put under pressure before their most beautiful parts are visible. Similarly, just because something is rugged or unrefined on the outside doesn't mean that there isn't inherent beauty, goodness, and strength just waiting to be recognized.

XOXO,
E

Graceful Goodbyes

Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends. ---Richard Bach



Learning to say goodbye is one of the toughest things in life. Premeditated goodbyes might be even worse because the anxiety period leading up to the goodbye can often be unbearable. The emotion evoking goodbye is natural. It's okay to cry (though I would advise not). It's okay to worry too (but a life spent worried is one wasted...again with the hypocrisy!). It's ideal to laugh (humor works wonders!) But it is never, ever okay to forget.



Making a graceful goodbye is all about savoring those last moments with the people you love and letting them know you love them. Don't stress about it. Enjoy the moment and then carry on with your life. When life is tough these memories will carry you through.



Not only do the relationships we have with others teach us valuable lessons and shape our lives, but they also bring so much beauty. In fact when I am asked to describe Heaven, the only way I ever do so is by saying that in Heaven we will never have to sacrifice our relationships with others. No heartbreak and no goodbyes. Just infinite attention and love. There really couldn't be a better feeling.



The best part about a goodbye is that only a reuniting can follow. It may happen soon or it could take a while, but like all good things...it's worth waiting for. And the feeling of being reunited is often better than anything else!



Embrace what you have. When it's time to transition, do so bravely with the knowledge that goodbyes aren't forever and the imagination to visualize the spectacularity of reuniting.



XOXO,

E

Confidence Confidante

I was recently in a production that required me to dance in front of people and it was, at times, a frightening experience. There were multiple moments of anxiety when I thought I might die if anyone I knew saw me dancing. In fact when I knew friends were watching me I had so much anxiety I almost didn't perform at all. In reality, I wasn't the best, but I wasn't the worst. I just lacked self-confidence.

There is a fine line between confidence and conceitedness, but confidence is essential to charm. Everyone should realize that they are capable of great things and they have the power to positively change others' lives. Confidence is magnetic and people are attracted to it. Conceitedness, however, is basically people repellant. For example, wearing makeup and doing pretty hairstyles are art forms and they can be fun, but if for some reason I don't have time to make them happen, I have the confidence to go through the day knowing that I have what it takes to reach my goals. This is because confidence means focusing on the positive things that are present instead of focusing on the things that are going wrong. Yeah I may not look picture perfect, but I am still poised, intelligent, caring, honest, etc.

As a confidence building exercise I think it is important for people to mentally note all of their positive qualities that are not likely to change. For example, "I can make people laugh. I am motivated. I have compassion for others. I am a hard-worker." Notice I didn't say, "I wish I was skinnier. I wish I had more money. I wish I didn't have to study. I wish I was as beautiful as someone else."Focus on the tangible characteristics you have and play them up!

Finally, realize that many of these endearing characteristics have the power to affect other people and in the end that's what it's all about. If you wake up looking less than perfect one day but use that day to change someone's life...accept that victory!

XOXO,
E

Just Be Nice and Live On

An eleven year old recently asked me what I would do if I was invited to a birthday party for the "nerdiest kid in school." Of course I told him I would go. When he asked why he should go I told him it was nice and the right thing to do but had difficulty explaining why he needed to be nice in the first place.


The art of being nice is not an easy one, but like the work of any great artist, it is much more valuable because it is not easy. The first important element of being nice is that it must be genuine. I don't know about you, but in my mind people are like designer bags (And we know I love both!) Just like with designer bags, I can spot a fake a mile away! Genuine designer bags are worth so much more because they are real, not fake!


Being genuinely nice is all about being patient. A loss of patience will ultimately result in saying or doing something mean that will only end up hurting others. Niceness is also characterized by being kind. Kindness means treating everyone with the respect they deserve. My mother once gave me the best advice when she said, "Remember popularity isn't everything...but it is something. Just remember that popular people aren't just popular with one group of people, but they are genuinely nice to everyone...children, animals, elderly people, and people of all backgrounds."


My number one pet peeve is when people who are perceived to be nice are exclusive with their niceness! Every person deserves to be treated with basic human respect and kindness...not just those that can promote one's own self interest.



So next time my latte is accidentally made with regular milk instead of skim, I will not freak out to the barista (despite the visions that are occurring in my head of gaining 3 pounds on the spot). Or when I'm out shopping and the Nordstrom salesforce continues to ask how they help me I will not respond by saying, "I'm not an idot, I know you work off commission!" Finally, next time I have to get a pat down in the airport (which is guaranteed), I will refrain from making any comments about how I'm Texan, not a terrorist and it should only be a little hard to differentiate. The point of these (comedic but oh so true) examples are to illustrate that being nice is so hard but everyone deserves to be treated with patience, kindness, and respect.


I know, I know...maybe the next post should be about hypocrisy haha!



XOXO,

E

Funny Is As Funny Does

Funny Is As Funny Does.

It has been said that a girl's best accessory is her smile, her confidence, etc., but there is one much more essential accessory...a sense of humor. Life can be a number of things, but it should NEVER be boring. Humor is a great way to deal with the tough stuff in life along with the everyday things that aren't exciting at all. 

For example, I am an extremely high strung person...but humor has gotten me through so many things in life...sickness, boring jobs, relationships, you name it. Right now I am laughing at myself for many reasons. Is it crazy that I have to charge my phone at least three times in order to get through the day? Is it insane that I leave the house wearing a blazer and skirt, somewhere in the middle of the day I find a place to change into workout clothes, then I find another place to change for my late night rehearsals? On top of that there are two days a week in which I find creative ways to wear my ballet leotard in my professional workplace. At least I can laugh at the fact that I attempt to seamlessly transition through the day, but it is really just mass chaos that is evident to anyone that comes into contact with me! 

Although I run around all day in a constant state of stress...at the end of the day I can never take myself too seriously. I can always laugh at the way I overdramatize situations, the neurotic way I use my label maker, or the way I'm often too wound up to eat. It's all just a part of the charm. People's quirks and differences are what make life hilarious...just embrace it! A couple of weekends ago I was shopping at Target and stopped in the Starbucks to refuel (naturally). The man in line in front of me was wearing cargo shorts and in one of the pockets he had a large accordion folder filled with coupons. It was the funniest thing I had seen in a while...it was the ultimate form of nerdiness. I was laughing at him for that, but at the same time I was admiring the fact that he had all his coupons organized, which made me laugh at myself for being envious of this guy! This is what I mean...people are all so quirky, but embracing it can lead to a most entertaining life.

 

Laughter really is the best medicine...and a girl that can laugh at herself and make light of any situation is one worth having as a friend.

Words of Wisdom: Laugh a lot (never at anyone's expense though). Laughing at oneself is especially beneficial in an endeavor not to take oneself too seriously. Mark my words!

XOXO,

E

Charming. Classy. Clever.

Catharine Deneuve, a French actress, once said, “A woman has to be intelligent, have charm, a sense of humor, and be kind. It's the same qualities I require from a man.”

There is something to be said about Deneuve’s quote. It is the perfect recipe for all women…and it doesn’t even involve any secret ingredients! There is no substitute for intelligence, as it will carry anyone far in life. However when intelligence is paired with charm, or the innate ability a woman has to captivate all the people in her life, she begins to gain the power to influence these people in the most positive of ways. Add in her unique sense of humor and she is likely much more powerful than she realizes. However, this power may ultimately be destructive if the woman is not kind hearted. A woman’s character can only be reflected in the compassion she has for others.

My vision for this blog is to provide insights and inspiration to all women aspiring to live a rewarding life…one of charm, class, and cleverness!

XOXO,

E